A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Goal 8: To increase access to and achievement in correctional education programs that will aid in the reintegration of prisoners into their communities.

Objective 1 of 2: GRANTEES WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

Indicator 8.1.1 of 1: Improved vocational and academic achievement: By Fall 2002, increasing percentages of students participating in vocational and academic programs will complete a degree or certificate.

Targets and Performance Data

Assessment of Progress

Sources and Data Quality

Students completing a postsecondary education certificate, associate of arts or bachelor's degree in the facility during the program year

Year

Actual Performance

Performance Targets

Percent Students Completing

Percent Students Completing

2000

25.50

75

2001

30

2002

35

Status: Positive movement toward target.

Explanation: Performance targets were not met due to the recent start up of the programs, with most--if not all--programs requiring more than one year for completion. Moreover, actual performance data are based on only 18 of 45 funded states and, therefore, may not represent the completion rates of students enrolled in these programs nationally. At the same time, performance targets were adjusted to better align with annual expectations of progress.

Additional Source Information: Grantee evaluation reports.

Frequency: Annually.Collection Period: 2002.Validated By: On-Site Monitoring By ED.
The Department will validate data through the use of National Center for Education Statistics review procedures and Statistical Standards.

Limitations: Data are based on students in continuous enrollment. Calculations of completion, therefore, are based on an ever-changing number of students enrolled, rather than a single cohort. Also, programs differ in objectives and degrees and certificates offered., so different outcomes are counted together.

Improvements: Planned improvements for data collection include investigating whether a single cohort of students can be selected and tracked to more effectively calculate completions over time.

Objective 2 of 2: IMPROVE ACCESS TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND JOB PLACEMENT PROGRAMS FOR INCARCERATED PERSONS TO HELP OFFENDERS REINTEGRATE INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES AFTER RELEASE.

Indicator 8.2.1 of 2: Increased employment rates following release: By Fall 2002, 50 percent of participants will be employed upon their release.

Targets and Performance Data

Assessment of Progress

Sources and Data Quality

Percent of participants entering employment within one month of their release.

Year

Actual Performance

Performance Targets

2001

50

Status: Positive movement toward target.

Explanation: Expect to meet target given the increasing percentages of participants that are expected to earn a postsecondary education certificate, associate of arts, or bachelor's degree during their incarceration period (average five years). These credentials are expected to make students more employable immediately upon their release.

Additional Source Information: Grantee evaluation reports.

Frequency: Annually.Collection Period: 2002.Validated By: On-Site Monitoring By ED.
The Department will validate data through the use of National Center for Education Statistics review procedures and Statistical Standards.

Limitations: Data will be based on a fluctuating numbers of students being released annually. Calculations of employment, therefore, will be based on an ever-changing number of students released during the year, rather than on a single cohort. States report difficulty obtaining post-release information. Therefore, reports are based on partial data.

Improvements: [Planned improvements for data collection include investigating whether a single cohort of students can be selected and tracked to more effectively calculate employment rates over time. Grantees are reporting technical issues obtaining reliable post release employment rates over time. Grantees are reporting technical issues obtaining reliable post release employment data. States are attempting to develop and implement data sharing agreements to resolve this issue.

Indicator 8.2.2 of 2: Improved recidivism rates: By Fall 2002, recidivism rates for participants will be 10 percent lower than for a comparison group.

Targets and Performance Data

Assessment of Progress

Sources and Data Quality

Percent of participants and non-participants recidivism one year following their release.

Year

Actual Performance

Performance Targets

- No Data -

Status: Unable to judge.

Explanation: Targets will be set following baseline report.

Additional Source Information: Correctional Education Study.

Frequency: Annually.Collection Period: 2002.Validated By: NCES/Federal Statistical Agencies.
The Department will validate data through the use of National Center for Education Statistics review procedures and Statistical Standards.

Limitations: Data will be based on a fluctuating numbers of students being released annually. Calculations of recidivism, therefore, will be based on an ever-changing number of students released during the year, rather than on a single cohort. States report difficulty meeting the sophisticated data processing needed to identify standard at the one year interval. Also, the comparison group may be non-equivalent (on average, comparison group is older, and older individuals have lower recidivism rates).

Improvements: Planned improvements for data collection include investigating whether a single cohort of students can be selected and tracked to more effectively calculate recidivism over time.